UPDATE: Statement from Georgia State Patrol, “On August 18, at approximately 1:20 p.m., a 2004 Kia Sorento was traveling east on State Route 52. A tractor-trailer was traveling west on State Route 52. The Sorento was slowing due to another vehicle turning. The driver of the Sorento, James M. Reimer, age 19 from Ellijay, stated he could not stop so he pulled the emergency brake. The vehicle slid into the other lane. The tractor-trailer struck the Sorento in the right front end with its front end causing the Sorento to rotate. After impact, the tractor-trailer traveled off the north side of State Route 52 and down a 40 foot embankment.

Reimer was not injured. He was charged with Failure to Maintain Lane.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Darshan S. Brar, age 37 from Cambridge, ON, was not injured.”

A vehicle and tractor trailer with box cargo overturned at the corner of Turniptown Road and Highway 52 East Tuesday afternoon, with the tractor trailer’s diesel fuel spilling.  According to Gilmer Public Saftey Director Tony Pritchett, the accident happened about 1 PM or 2 PM. Three people were involved in the accident with only minor injuries sustained and no persons were transported to a hospital. Currently a Hazmat team is pumping the fuel while the Georgia State Patrol investigates the accident. According to Pritchett, it will be 7 PM or 8 PM before the scene in cleared. He advises that 52 East will continue to have one lane of traffic open, so use alternate routes, if at all possible. The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol.